John,

Violence and hatred have no place in America. Period.

Join me in taking action to keep everyone safe by telling your senators to combat domestic terrorism now.

Within the span of a week, our country has witnessed two mass shootings, the gunning down of innocent people in what should be our community’s safest spaces. As we await further details, some things are clear: These are despicable acts of hatred designed to terrorize us all. The communities of Buffalo and now Uvalde join a long list of places that will never be the same. Our hearts are with all of them.

Only in America do people go grocery shopping and get mowed down by a shooter with hate in his heart; only in this country are parents not assured that their kids will be safe at school.

In the wake of the horrific racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo last week, the House of Representatives passed the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, a bill to strengthen the capacity of the federal government to combat domestic terrorism. This bill will help address the rising attacks against numerous ethnic and religious members of our communities, which all too often impact everyone in the community.

Now it’s up to the Senate to take action. Tomorrow, this bill will be put to a vote. Write in and tell your senators to vote YES on the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act.

We must address hatred wherever it appears. As civilians, we have a duty to call out and denounce hatred and bigotry when and where we see it. It is up to us to come together and protect those in our community under threat of this hateful violence. But we can’t do it alone. That’s why the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act establishes offices in the FBI, Justice Department and Homeland Security Department to investigate and prosecute domestic terrorist activity.

From Charlottesville to Buffalo to Uvalde , we’ve seen the harm and destruction that has been visited upon communities around the country. Tell your senators to step up and act now.

Finally, I need to acknowledge that the AFT lost three family members to the hatred in Buffalo: Pearl Young, Margus Morrison and Aaron Salter Jr. Please take a moment to learn more about them and their lives. May their memories always be a blessing.

We are on a race to win the soul of this country. The only way we win that race is if we all run it.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT President